Day into Night: Late Hike at Olde Rope Mill Park

This will be a bit different than most of my past events at this park as only the last 30 or so minutes will be in the dark. 

We will generally go around 2.7 mph which can feel quicker than normal during the dark portion of the hike. There are not lights on the trail so you will definitely need a flashlight or headlamp. While the trails are relatively smooth they are real hiking trails in the unlit woods. I would compare them in difficulty to a park like Island Ford. We will stay together and travel at a steady pace without any planned breaks.

Reasons to join this event:

1. Scared of the sun
2. Get out of work late
3. Want to eat dinner with your family
4. Desperate for a real hike after work
5. Like to dodge bikes
6. Test out your new headlamp
7. Dislike sitting in traffic on the way to a hike
8. Want to shop at the outlet mall before hiking
9. Free parking
10. Want a convenient source of gas station roller food and slushies before or after the event

We will be doing all 3 loops on the Avalanche Trail at Olde Rope Mill. The map can be found here: http://sorbawoodstock.org/olde- rope-mill-park/ . The map seems to indicate that it is over 6 miles but multiple gps tracks have it closer to 5 miles. These trails are shared with mountain bikes but we are required to go the opposite direction and they are easy to see with their lights. The bikes have the right away on this trail so we will need to step to the side if we encounter any. If you want to get in some extra hiking before the event there are several other trails to keep you busy before the official event starts at 8:00pm.

Please check that the trail is open before coming http://sorbawoodstock.org/trail- status/ . They are controlled by the local mountain bike group and close after rains to avoid damage to the trails, if they ever show as closed a final status check on if the event is taking place will occur no later than 6pm the day of the event. We will meet at the grass island with a tree in the middle of the rightside parking lot after entering the park. 

Directions to Olde Rope Mill Park:

From I-575- Traveling North
Take Exit 9 (Ridgewalk Parkway)
Turn right off the Interstate onto Ridgewalk Parkway
At first stop light make a left onto Rope Mill Road
You will pass a Kia dealership and go down a dark hill into the park.
Take the right fork once in the park and we will meet at the grass island in the middle of the parking lot

From I-575 - Traveling South
Take Exit 9 (Ridgewalk Parkway)
Turn left off the Interstate onto Ridgewalk Parkway
At first stop light make a left onto Rope Mill Road
You will pass a Kia dealership and go down a dark hill into the park.
Take the right fork once in the park and we will meet at the grass island in the middle of the parking lot